Loop regulating mechanism for flat knitting machines



Feb. 17, 1942.l -M. c. MILLER LOOP `REGULATING' MECHANISM. FOR FLAT KNITTING MACHINES s sheetsv-sheet 1 Filed'sept. 21, 193s.

Feb, 17, 1942.

i M. c. MILLER LOOP REGULATING MECHANISM FOR FLAT KNI'I-TING MACHINES www SN .SN

IFeb.17,1942. M C, MILLER 2,213,802

LOOP REGULATING MECHANIM FOR FLAT KNITTING MACHINES GIV l ATToRNgYs 7 Patented Feb. 17, 41942 LOOP REGULATING MECHANISM FOR FLAT KNITTING MACHINES Max c. Miller, Cumberland, a. r.'

Application September 21, 1938, Serial No. 230,971

' (ci. ca -s2) 31 Claims.

The present invention relates to at knitting machines, and particularly to improvements in the loop regulating mechanism for such machines.

It is a principal object of the invention to provide novel and improved loop regulating mechaoperation of. the machine.

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel and improved loop regulating mechanism for use in machines of this general description, which is well adapted to effect an independent and extremely accurate positioning ofthe loop forming elements during each of the yarn sinking and dividing operations.

It is another object of the invention to provide a novel and improved stitch regulating mechanism adapted for automatic adjustment of stitch length during continued knitting on the machine, which will permit of a greatly increased versatility and adaptability of this mechanism to perform its desired functions in a modern automatic full-fashioned type machine, without at the -same time sacrificing strength or compactness of organization, or accessibility of the mechanism for such manual adjustments as may be desirable or necessary in setting `up and in actual operation of the machine.

With these-and other objects in view, as may hereinafter appear, the several features of the invention consist in the devices, combinations and arrangement 'of parts hereinafter described and claimed, which together with the advantages to be obtained thereby will be readily un derstood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in

which Fig.,'1 is -a cross-sectional view lookingV from'the left, of a flat full-fashioned type knitting machine, only so much of the machine having been shown as is believed necessary to clearly illustrate the connection of the present invention therewith; Fig. 2 is a detail view looking from the left, illustrating. particularly the yarn sinking and divide loop regulating and needle press cams'and associated rollers;-Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view takenon the line 3--3 of Fig.

- 6, illustrating particularly the loop regulating cam drum lfor positioning the needles during the divide operation; Fig. 4 is a detail view in front elevation of the selector drum shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a detail sectional View taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 6;` Fig. 6 is a lsomewhat fragmentary view in front 'elevation illustrating three knitting sections of the machine, and applicants improved loop regulating mechanism associated therewith; Fig. 'l is a large view in rear elevation of the yarn sinking, loop regulating mechanism shown in front-elevation in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a sectional View taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 1, the parts being shown in the position of Fig. l; Fig. 9 is a somewhat diagrammatic view`of the parts shown in Fig. 8 but with the lever sections of the yarn sinking regulator leverseparated during the divide operation; Fig. 10 is a somewhat diagrammatic sectional view of the lever sections of the divide loop regulator lever in operating position during the divide; Fig. 11 is a detail view of the drum rotating mechanism associated with the yarn sinking, loop regulatingv device, the parts being in the position shown lin Fig. 1; Fig. 12 is a detail view in side elevation of the automatic drum racking control including specifically the pawl and pawl shield for controlling-the yarn sinking, loop regulating device, the parts being shown in the positions illustrated in Fig. 1; and Fig. 13 is a detail sectional view I looking from beneath, of the drum holding spring follows in a general way the usual organization of the stitch regulating mechanism of these machines including a regulator shaft extending along the length of the machine, for controlling the positions of the needle forward and back motion cam-levers, and cam actuated stitch adjusting levers consisting of a cam actuated lever section loosely mounted on Ythe regulator shaft and a, lever section adjustable relatively thereto fixed tothe shaft. Regulation'of stitch 'length is obtained by mechanism which operates to relaand accessibility inherent in the usual regulating mechanism, while at the same time through improvement in constructionand in mode of operation, has succeeded in greatly increasing the versatility and adaptability of this mechanism to perform the desired functions in modern automatic full-fashioned type machines.

One feature of applicants novel construction consists in the vconstruction and arrangement of the mechanism for adjusting the relative positions of the lever sections which comprises a horizontally disposed drum supported on the cam actuated lever section loose on the regulator shaft, and a plurality of separately adjustable stop screws supported on the lever section secured to the regulator shaft for selective engagement with stop members spaced axially along the drum, and at different radial angles, so that a plurality of predetermined adjustments may be secured by the rotation of the drum to bring any selected stop screw into engagement with its cooperating stop member. This specific construction hereinafter more fully to be described, has the specic advantage of providing a plurality of predetermined adjusted positions of the regulating mechanism which are' readily controlled through pattern operated selecting mechanism,

arranged to be given a step-by-step advancing' movement in timed relation to the main cam' shaft of the machine, and a pawl shield whic`l is rendered operative for a limited period onl s during each racking movement of the pattern" shaft to permit th'e engagement of the drum f ratchet with its actuating pawl.

while at the same time permitting the operator during continued knitting to effect such addi` tional adjustment or correction in the position of any one or more of the stop screws as may be desirable or become necessary during continued operation of the mach ine.

Another feature of the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of an .automatic stitch regulating mechanism which ncludes means for securing a number of predetermined adjustments of the stitch mechanism during continued machine operation, in combination with additional means which may be rendered operative to secure a gradual change in thestitch adjustment during the knitting of a number of following courses whereby the length of loop of following courses in the knitting of selected portions of the fabric, may b e gradually changed to produce a desired shaping effect in the finished fabric,

Another feature of applicants improved stitch adjusting mechanism, consists in the improved construction and arrangement of the actuating devices for controlling the position of and for shifting the loop regulating devices from one position of adjustment to another to cause the contacting surfaces of the stop screws and associated step members to be moved-directly away from each other while the adjustment is being eiected, thus entirely obviating the possibility of wear upon these surfaces, with consequent loss of accuracy and precision in the device.

`In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, this relative separating movement is secured by means of a specially shaped adjusting cam which permits the movable cam engaging section of the lever to be moved relatively inwardly or rearwardly from the section of the adjusting lever secured to the regulator shaft to avoid any possibility of interference with the movements of the forward and back motion needle cam lever under the influence of the needle inand-out motion knitting cam.

Another feature of Athe invention consists in the specific arrangement of a racking mechanism' Another feature of the invention consists in the provision of separate stitch adjusting mechanisms for controlling the forward and back positions of the needles during each of the yarn sinking and dividing operations, in which each of the adjusted positions of the two mechanisms is capable of independent and extremely accurate adjustment in setting up the machine, and subsequently during machine operation if found desirable. Applicant is aware that previous attempts have been made to produce stitch regulating mechanisms having means to secure a different adjustment of the needle position during each of the yarn sinking and dividing operations. Such constructions have, however, been found inadequate to avoid the formation of vertically striped fabric, due to the fact that the amount which it is necessary or desirable to back off the needles during the divide, varies with different types of yarn having different stretch and frictional characteristics. With the present construction, the operator is enabled to set each of the yarn sinking and divide stitch adjustments at any desired ratio, and is further able very quickly to correct any tendency to the formation of striped or sleazy fabric by further manual adjustment of the divide stitch regulating mechanism during machine operation.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, applicant provides pattern control mechanism which in the illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises the longitudinally extending pattern shaft above referred to, to permit simultaneous automatic adjustment of the yarn sinking and divide stitch regulating mechanisms during continued knitting on the machine.

Another feature of the invention consists in the specific arrangement of the adjustable stopsassociated with each of the yarn sinking and divide stitch regulating mechanisms to facilitate a rapid, if approximate, manual adjustment of each adjusted position of the two mechanisms in a direct ratio of 2 to 1. To this end the screw threads of the adjustable stops associated with the divide stitch regulating devices, are constructed-with a pitch equal to one-half of that of the adjustable stops associated with the sinking stitch regulating device, so that the same angular adjustment may be made to eachof the adjustable stops referred Ito, to secure an approximately equivalent adjustment of the two devices. It will be understood that alternative vdevices may be employed for the guidance of the operator in effecting a roughly equivalent adjustment of the corresponding stops associated with the yarn sinking and divide stitch regulating mechanisms, as for example, scale markings or notches on the stops or adjacent supporting surfaces.

The drawings. disclose a at full-fashioned knitting machine which may be of ordinary description comprising a series of transverse frames I spaced along the length of themachine, and

rigidly connected by means of a longitudinally extending lower front rail I2, a lower back rail I4, a sinker rail I6, and a work table I8. The several cooperating mechanisms of the machine are driven from a main c am shaft 20 which extends along the 4machine length, and is continuously driven during the operation of the machine.

The knitting instrumentalities of the machine comprise the usual spring beard needles 22 supported in the needle Vbeds 24 for vertical and forward and back movements with relation to a fixed press edge formed on the sinker bed 26, the yarn measuring sinkers 28, and alternating dividers 30 supported to slide in slots formed in the sinker bed 26 and cover plate 32. It may be assumed also that the-machine is provided with the usual cooperating knockover bits (not shown). As best shown in Figs. 1 and 6, the needle bars 24 for the several sectionsof the machine, are pivotally supported on horizontally disposed levers 34 rigidly secured to a needle vertical motion rock shaft 36 extending throughout the machine length. Downwardly extending cam levers such as that designated at 38 are secured to the rock shaft 86 at intervals along the length of the machine, and are provided at theirlower ends with rollers 40 for engagement with the usual needle vertical motion stitch and narrowing cams 42 and 44.

For imparting the usual forward and back movements to the needles, there is secured to each needle bar 24, a downwardly extending arm 46 which is connected by a horizontally disposed link 48 with a downwardly extending lever arm 50 secured to the usual needle forward-and back motion rock shaft 52. Also secured to the rock shaft 52 at intervals along its length, are down- Wardly extending cam levers commonly referred to as the needle presser levers such as that designated at 54 which carries a roller 56 for engagement with the usual needle forward and back motion stitch cam 58 and narrowing cam 60.

In accordance with the usual construction and mode of operation of these machines,""the yarn measuring sinkers 28 alternating with dividers 30, are individually movable, being advanced in the form of a knitting wave to kink the yarn against the shanks of the needles through the operation of sinker jacks 62 and a slur cock cam 64 carried on a reciprocating slide bar 66 for traversing movement along vthe length ofthe knitting section. With the construction'illustrated, the yarn is kinked across each pair of needles by the alternately spaced sinkers, and is subsequently re-kinked ormeasured against all of the needles by the simultaneous advance of the dividers 30.

The machine is also provided with the usual catch bar motion including a catch bar 68 which is employed for simultaneously advancing the dividers, and subsequently for retracting the dividers and sinkers as the needles are moved to theiI` press position, and then downwardly to draw the newly kinked yarn off the sinker noses. As best shown .in Fig. l of the drawings, the catch bar is supported on rearwardly extending arms pivotally supported on upwardly extending lever arms l12 secured to the catch bar forward and back motion rock shaft 14 extending extending cam levers 16 such as that shown at 16 provided with roller 18 for engagement with a cam 8 0'0n the cam shaft 20 of ythe machine.

'I'he catch bars 68 are given the usual vertical motions to bring the catch bar into and out lof operative engagement with thev sinker butts through connections which include forwardly extending arms 82 secured to the catch bar 68 and supported at their forward ends on vertically extending links 84 and lever arms 86 secured to the catch bar vertical motion rock shaft 88 which extends along thelength of the machine. Also secured to the rock shaft 88 are one or more cam levers such as that designated at 90 which carries a cam roller 92 for engagement with a cam 94 on the cam shaft 20 of the machine.

The stitchuregulating mechanism disclosed in the drawings, consists in a stitch regulating rock shaft |00 of ordinarydescription which extends along the front side of the machine, and is supported in bearings in the cross frames I0. At spaced intervals along its length, there are secured to the regulator shaft, upwardly extending lever arms such as that designated at |02 which are arranged for engagement behind contact rollers as shown at |04 formed on downward extensions of the needle forward and back motion levers 54.

In carrying out the present invention, applicant has provided two separate but substantially identical stitch regulating mechanisms for controlling the angular posi-tion of the regulator shaft |00 to properly position the needles' 22 during each of the yarn sinking and subsequent dil adjusted positions, each of these stop screws isA along the length of the machine. Also secured to the rock shaft 14 are one or more downwardly vide operations, each comprising a stitch regulating lever made up of two relatively adjustable sections, and arranged to be acted upon by a stitch adjusting cam on the main cam shaft of the machine. lating mechanism for determining the needle position during the yarn sinking operation, will be first described, this mechanism being shown at the left side of Fig. V6, and in full lines in Figs. l, 7 and 8 of the drawings. The yarn sinking stitch adjusting lever consists of the so-called adjusting lever section |06 rigidly secured to the stitch regulator shaft |00 and a cooperating cam lever section' |08 forked at its lower end to straddle the adjusting Vlever section |06, and provided at its upper end with a cam roller I-I0 for engagement with a yarn sinking stitch adjustment cam I2 on the main cam shaft 20 of the machine. The cam lever sectiony |08 is loosely mounted to turn on the loop regulating sl'iatft |00, and is supported with the roller IIO inferi-vv gagement with a cam |I2 by means of a tension spring ||4. The secured section |06 of the yarn stitch sinking Iregulating lever secured tothe regulator shaft |00 has supportedthereon five adjustable stop pins ||6 screw-threaded into the lever section |06, and arranged for engagement with cooperating segmental stop members on a horizontally disposed selector drum I|8 supported in bearings formed on the movable cam lever section |08 of the stitch adjusting lever. In order to maintain the stop screws I6 in their screw-threaded also to a spring clip |20 screwfastened to the secured section |06'of the stitch adjusting lever. A rearwardly extendingarm ||1 formed on the secured lever section |06, has attached thereto a heavy tension spring IIS which acts to tension the lever section |06 and regulator shaft |00 rearwardly or in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 8 to main- For convenience, the stitch regutain the stop screws ||6 in engagement with the stop mem-bers formed on the drum IIB. This f rearward rocking movement of the fixed lever |06 and the regulator shaft |00, is limited by the end to straddle the secured lever section |22, and

provided at its upper end with a cam roll |26 for engagement with a yarn divide stitch adjustment cam |28 on the main cam shaft 20 of the machine. A spring |29 connected to a rearwardly extending arm of the cam lever section |24 tends to maintain the roller 26in engagement with its cam |28. The secured lever section |22 is provided with five stop elements in the form of adjustable stop screws |30 screw-threaded thereto, and spring clips |32 for supporting the stop screws in adjusted position. The stop screws |30 are arranged to cooperate with cooperating segmental stop members formed on a horizontally -disposed selector drum |34 supported on the movable cam lever section |24. The parts of the sinking and dividing stitch regulating levers thus far described, are identical in every respect, except that the adjustable screw. stops ||6 have twice the pitch of the adjustable screw stops 30, so that the operator is enabled to produce a corresponding adjustment of 'the respective yarn sinking and yarn divide stitch regulating positions by turning the corresponding stops through an identical angle. A tension` spring |36 secured to a rearward extension of the secured lever section |22, tends to rock the lever section |22 and regulator shaft |00 rearwardly. A screw stop |38 mounted on a downward extension of the lever section |22 is arranged for engagement against the rail I2 to limit such 'rearward movement.

As best shown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, the selector drum |34 has supported along the length thereof, four segmental stop members |40 having peripheral contact. surfaces of constant radius which are mounted in different angular positions on the drum to cooperate with the four left hand stops |30 as viewed in Fig. 6, and'an additional stop member |42 arranged to cooperate with the right hand stop |30 as viewed in Fig. 6, and of which the contact surface is cammed to provide a gradual rising contour. The stop member |42 is supported on a friction pivot |44 on the right hand end of the selector drum, and is held in the desired adjustable position by means of a screw stop |46. The selector drum ||8 associated with the yarn sinking loop regulating lever is identical in construction, having mounted thereon four xed segmental stop members |48 spaced along the length of the drum, and supported at different angular positions for cooperating engagement with the left four adjustable stops I6, and a fifth adjustable stop member |50 having the contacting surface camned gradually outward for engagement with the right hand screw stop ||6 as viewed in Fig, 6.

It Will readily'be seen from an inspection of Fig. 3, that the adjustable stop member 42 on the divide' regulator selector drum |34 and the identical stop member |50 on the yarn sinking regulator selector drum ||8 are formed with relatively long gradual rise surfaces, so that each racking of the drum as hereinafter more fully described, will cause the cooperating right hand stops |30 and ||6 when in contact therewith, to be very gradually moved outwardly to effect a correspondingly gradual change in. stitch adjustment over a large number of following courses. While no specific illustration thereof has been made, it will be understood that for any particular adjustment of stop members 42 and |50, the stop member |50 of the yarn sinking stitch adjusting lever will have a total rise which is preferably double or substantially double to that of correspondingly adjusted stop member |42 of the divide stitch adjusting lever. It will also be noted that the four segmental stop members |40 and the adjustable stop member |42 mounted on the drum |34 at different radial angles, are provided with contact surfaces which are of suffcient length so that a selected one or other of said stop members will always be in position to cooperate with its cooperating screw stop pin irrespective of the angular position of the drum. Similarly, the contact surfaces of the segmental stop members |48 and adjustable stop member |50 are arranged to completely occupy adjacent sectors of the selector drum ||8. A selected one or other of these stop members will at all times be maintained in operative relationship to its cooperating screw stop pin, It is contemplated that a number of successive rackings may be imparted to the drums before the active stop members on the two drums are moved out of cooperating relation to their associated screw stop pins, and the next following stop members and cooperating screw stop pins are brought into active operation to effect a different adjustment of stitch length. With this construction and arrangement of the selector drums and their cooperating screw stop pins, a relatively small racking movement may be imparted to the selector drums during each knitting operation of the machine, it being necessary only to effect a predetermined number of such rackings in order to produce the next succeeding adjustment of stitch length. Applicants improved stitch regulating mechanism is capable of a much wider range of automatic adjustment than devices known in the prior art, inasmuch as the step-by-step rackings of the selector drums are employed to effect in succession a plurality of xed adjustments of the stitch regulating mechanism, and are also employed in the knitting of a designated portion of the knitted fabric, to produce a gradual changing adjustment of the stitch regulator mechanism to produce a corresponding variationof loop length in the knitting of following courses.

The mechanism for rotating the selector drum ||0 associated with the yarn sinking loop regulator lever as best shown in Figs. 1, 6, 11 and 12 comprises a cam actuated pawl lever |54 pivotally supported on a shaft |56, and provided at its upper end with a cam roller |58 for engagement with an actuating cam |60 on the cam shaft 20.

n pawl |62 pivotally supported on lever |54 is arranged for engagement with a ratchet |66 secured to the left hand end ofthe drum I8, being urged'into engagement therewith by means of a small tension spring |68 secured at one end to a tail of the pawl |62, and at its other end to the pawl lever |54. The drum ||8 is held in each successive stepped position through the engagement of a spring-pressed plunger |65 (see Fig. 13) seated in a lug |61 on the cam lever section |08 with a ratchet |69 rigidly secured to. the right hand end of the drum ||8. An identical mechanism is provided for racking-the selector drum |34 associated-with the divide stitch regulating lever which comprises a camactuated pawl lever |10 (see Fig. 6) supported. on pivot shaft |56, a'n actuating cam |12, a pawl |14, and a ratchet |16 secured to turn with the drum |84. A spring-pressed plunger |13 supported on a lug |15 on the cam lever section |22, is arranged -for engagement with a ratchet |11 on the right hand end of the drum |34 to maintain thev drum in each successive stepped position. The drum racking cams |60 and |12 are identical in construction, and are arranged to impart advancing movement to the pawls |62 and |14 to rack the respective drums I8 and |34 only while the component sections of the two stitch-regulating levers are in their separated positions.

The racking. of the selector drums from the continuously reciprocating pawls |62 and |14, is automatically controlled through pattern mechanism including a pattern shaft |18 which is given a step-by-step rotational movement through connections which are driven from the main cam shaft of the machine, and are arranged to be thrown into and out of operation at selected i times by the pattern chain of the machine. As

best shown in Figs. 1, 6 and l2 of the drawings, the pattern shaft |18 extends along the front side of the machine, and is provided at its left hand end with a ratchet |80vwhich is arranged to be engaged by a pawl |82 pivotally'supported on one .arm of a cam lever |84 loosely mounted to turn on the regulator shaft |00. A rearwardly extending arm'of the lever |84 carries a roller |86 for engagement with a cam |88 on the main cam shaft of the machine. A small tension spring |90 connected at one end to the pawl |82; and at its other end to the cam lever |84, tends to main'- forwardly extending arm of the shield |96 is connected by means of a short link |98 with one arm tain the pawl in operative engagement with thev of a pattern chain lever 200 mounted on a sta.-

tionary pivot shaft 202, and arranged to be acted upon by buttons such as that designated at 204 on the pattern chain |84. A small tension spring 206 connected between a tail portion of the pattern` lever 200 and a fixed arml 208, tends` normally to maintainjthe pattern lever -in thedepressed position shown in Figs. 1 6 and 12, in

which the shield uit is in position to prevent the engagement of the actuating pawl |82 with the ratchet |80. l

.' The racking movements imparted to the pat-4 tern shaft |18 are rendered operative tomove the continuously reciprocating pawl |62 into and nut of engagement with theratchetvl66 to advance the yarn sinking selector drum ||8 through connections which include a rearwardly extending pawl shield lever 2|0 supported at its forward end on pivot shaft 2|2, 4and `provided at its rear end with an upwardly curved pawl shield surface 2|4 for engagement with the pawl |62. A small pawl lever 2|0 tends normally to maintain the pawl lever 2|0 in the low position shown in Figs. 1 and 12, in which the shield surface 2|4 is engagedwith and holds the pawl |62 out of operingforined therein one or pmore shortrise pory tions or bumps 220 for engagement with a V-shaped abutment 222 on the under side of the pawl ylever 2|0. The peripheral surface of the cam disk 2|8 provides a stop surfacev against which the pawl lever-2|0 is held under the iniuence of its spring 2|6 to hold the drum actuating pawl |62 in its inoperative position shown-in Figs. 1 and 12. The operation of the pawl |14 for racking the selector drum |34 of the divide loop regulator device, is controlled from the pattern shaft |18 through connections which are similar to those previously described, and more fully illustrated in connection ,with the yarn sinking loop regulating mechanism, and include a pawl lever 224 which is supported on a rock shaft 2|2 and engages against a cam disk 226 on the pattern lshaft |18 for controlling the position of the pawl |14, the pawl lever 224 being maintained in operative engagement with the disk 226 by means of a. tension spring (not shown), but similar to that designated at 2|6. It will be understood that the cam disks 2|8 and 226 are identical in construction, and have similarly placed rise portions 220 thereon, so that the pawl levers 2|0 and 224 will always be operated simultaneously for moving their respective drum pawls |62 and |14 into and out of operative position.

It will be noted that the cam |88 through which the racking of the pattern shaft `|18 isv effected, is provided with a stepped rise'portion, the first or lower riseportion being arranged to rack the pattern shaft 1 8 into a position in which the rise portions -220 of the cam disks 2|8 and 226 are brought beneath the corresponding abutments on the lawl levers 2|0 and 224 to permit movement of thel drum actuating pawls 62 and |14 into operating position. It is while the cam roller |86 is riding on this rst stepped por' tion of the cam |88, that the'pawls |62 and |14 are givenl their racking movement by the operation of the pawl actuating cams and |12.`

Continued rotation of `the main cam shaft 20y then causes the relier uit to ride ihto the higher stepped portion of its caml |88, further' rotating the pattern shaft |18 to move the rise portions 220 from beneath the abutments, cn the pawl" levers 2|0 and 224,- thus disconnecting the drinnl actuating pawls |62 and |14 from their ratchets. With rthis construction andxarrangement of the drum actuating mechanism, it will readily be seen that the drum actuating pawls |62 and 14 are permitted to be in operating engagement with The operation of applicants improved loopregulating mechanism will be briefly described as tension spring 2|6 connected at one end to the 75! follows:

. During each knitting cycle ofthe machine, that is, during-each revolution of the main cam shaft 20 the yarn carriers (not shown) together4 with the slur-cock cams64 are traversed across the respective knitting sections of the machine, causing the yarn measuring sinkers 28 to be advanced in a knittingwave to sink yarn against the needle -shanks. During the yarn sinking operation, the position of the needles is controlled `by the yarn sinking, loop regulating mechanism. The position of the parts at this time, including particularly the needle in-ond-out or press cam motion, the yarn sinking, loop regulating mechanism and the divide loop regulating mechanism, is that illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 land 8, in `which the'cam roller |0 is riding on the peripheral portion of the yarn sinking, regulating cam ||2, and a screw stop pin |'||5 is in contact with the selected stop member |50 to determine the angular position of regulator shaft |00, and thereby the in-and-out yarn sinking position of the needles. At this stage of the loop forming cycle, the needle in-and-out motion roller 58 'is supported out of contact with the circular portion of the needle in-and-out or press motion knitting cam 58. Also at this stage of the loop forming cycle, the divide loop regulating mechanism is inoperative. The divide loop regulating cam roller |26 is riding on the peripheral portion of its cam |28 and, asillustrated for example in Fig. 2|, is in alignment with the yarn sinking, loop regulating cam roller ||0. The lever sections of the divide loop regulating mechanism lare, however, slightly separated since, by hy- 4v.P0thesis, the stop screws |30 of the divine regulating device are adjusted to control the in-andout position of the -needles only during the dlvide, that ls, fora position of the needles which is further removed from the press edge of the machine and are therefore at this time positioned out of contactwith their cooperating stop members |40 or |42. i

After the last jack sinker 28 has been projected, the dividers 30 alternatingwith ,the sinkers in'accordance with theusual practice in fullfashioned machines are brought forthfasl a unit "by the catch bar 68. The catch bar motionoperates to advance the dividers against the usual vverge plate, bringing the dividers and sinkers into alignment and causing yarn to be robbed from the loops previously formed by the yarn measuring sinkers to produce sinker loops of equal length between all the needles.

During the divide loperation, in accordance with the present invention, the yarn sinking loop regulating mechanism is rendered inoperative and the divide loop regulating device is brought into operation to control the position of the needles to accord with the shorter loop length produced by the divide, that is, at apoint further removed from the press edge of the machine. y At the beginning of the divide operation, the cam roller associated with the yarn sinking loop regulating device moves onto a cut-away portion 230 of its cam ||2, thus permitting the cam lever section |08 to fall rearwardly under the iniluence of its spring ||4 and permitting the regul `regulator device is riding onto ythe portion 232 of its cam |28 which is relatively higher than the cut-away portion 230 of the yarn sinking regulator cam ||2. The exact position assumed by the needles during the divide is now determined by the contact of the active one of the screw stop pins |30 with its cooperating stop |40 or |42. and more particularly in Fig. 10, the right-hand stop pin |30 is in engagement with the stop member |42 on the drum |34. It will be noted, as best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, that the needle press cam 58 is also provided at this point with al cut-away portion 234 so that the needle press roller 56 is still maintained out of contact therewith.

During the continued rotation of the cam shaft 20, the needles move downwardly and rearwardly to press. It will be noted that each of the stitch regulating cams |28 and 2 is provided with outward projections having the same shape as the press projection of the needle press cam 58. 'Ihe needle motion is, however, at thistime taken over by the needle cam 58.

The needle in-and-out motion is from this` point controlled in the usual manner by the needle in-and-out motion cam 58 to cause the needles to operate in the usual manner during the drawing down of the sunk loops and the return movement of the needles to their high yarn 'sinking position. During continued rotation of the cam shaft 20, the regulator rollers |26 and ||0 are permitted to ride inwardly on cutaway portions 238 (see Fig. 2). These cutaway portions are of suicient depth, so that the movable lever sections |24 and |08 are permitted to move rearwardly a sufcient distance to disengage the cam ldrums |34 and ||8 respectively, from the adjustable stops on the fixed lever sections |22 and |06, which move inwardly also under the iniiuence of springs I8 and |36 to a limiting position determined by the engagement of adjustable stops with the front rail |2 of the machine. While the regulator lever sections are in this separated position, the racking of the drums |34 and I8 is effected as above described.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiment shown, and that various deviations may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a knitting machine having loop forming elements including knitting needles and associated sinkers and dividers operable in accordance with a loop forming cycle, and loop regulating means coacting with said loop forming elements for producing fabric loops of predetermined length, said loop regulating means comprising separately adjustable devices successively operable in said loop forming cycle for positioning the loop forming elements during each of the yarn sinking and divide operations.

2. In a knitting machine .having loop forming elements including knitting needles and associated sinkers and dividers operable in accordance with a loop forming cycle, loop regulating means coacting with said needles for producing fabric loops of predetermined length, said loop regulating means comprising separately adjustable devices successively operable in said loop forming cycle for positioning the needles during each of the yarn sinking and divide operations.

3. In a knitting machine having knitting needles and associated loop forming sinkers and dividers operable in accordance with a loop form- In the position shown in the drawings ing cycle. loop regulating mechanism compris-l ing a loop regulating cam and loop regulating means associated therewith for positioning the needles during the yarn sinking operation, and a second loop regulating cam and loop regulating means associated therewith for positioning the needles during the divide operation.

4. In a knitting machine having loop forming elements including knitting needles and associated sinkers and'dividers operable in accordance with a loop forming cycle, and loop regulating means coacting with said loop forming elements for producing fabric loops of predetermined length, said loop regulating means comprising separate devices successively operable in said loop forming cycle for positioning the loop forming elements during each of the yarn sinking and divide operations, each of said devices having a plurality of manually adjustable elements successively operable to determine the position ofv prising separate devices successively operable in said loop forming cycle for positioning the loop `forming elements during each of the yarn sinking and divide operations, each of said'devices having a plurality of manually adjustable elements and a shiftable member associated therewith to render saidV adjustable elements successively operable to determine the position of the loop forming elements.

l6. In a knitting machine having loop forming elements including knitting Vneedles and associated sinkers and dividers operable in accordance with a loop forming cycle, and loop regulating means coacting with said loop forming elements for producing lfabric loops of predetermined length,` said loop regulatingzmeans comprising separate devicesv successively operable in said loop forming cycle for positioning the loop -forming elements during each of the yarn sinking and divide operations, each of said devices having a plurality of predetermined adjust-I ments, actuating means for rendering said adjust- 'separate devices 'successively operable in said loop forming -cycle for positioning the loop forming elements during each of the yarn sinking andv divideoperations, each of said devices having a plurality of `manually adjustable elements and ashiftable member associated therewith to render said .manually adjustable elements operable to determine the position of .the loop forming elements, means for effecting a simultaneous movement of said shiftable members. and

'pattern means for dictating `the operation of said dividers operable vin accordance with a loop forming cycle, loop regulating mechanism comprising a loop` regulating cam and loop regulating means associated therewith having a plurality of adjusted positions for positioning the needles during the yarn sinking operation, a second loop regulating cam and loop regulating means associated therewith having a plurality of adjusted positions for positioning the needles during the divide 'operation in said cycle, and means for simultaneously shifting both of said regulating ljustments during the yarn sinking and divide operations in said cycle comprising with a regulating shaft and a stop arm for said presser lever f fixed to said shaft, separate loop regulating devices for controlling the position of said stop arm for producing successive individual adjustments of the presser lever'during the yarn sinking and divide operations-in said cycle, each regulating device comprising a cam on the cam shaft, a cam operated loose arm on the regulating shaft, and a rocker arm secured to the regulating shaft, a rotating drum having a plurality of stop members thereon and a plurality of adjustable stops supported for relative engagement on said loose arm and secured rocker arm respectively, and means for simultaneously rotating said drums to effect a simultaneous adjustment of said sinker and divide loop regulating devices.

10. In a knitting machine having acam shaft and knitting devices including knitting needles and associated loop forming sinkers and dividers operable in accordance with a loop forming cycle,

. the combination with a needle bar presser lever arate loop regulating devices for controlling the position of said stop arm for producing successive individual adjustments of the presser lever during the yarn sinking and divide operations, each comprising a cam on the cam shaft, a cam operated loose arm on the regulating shaft, and a rocker arm secured to the regulating shaft, a rotating drum having a plurality of stop members spaced axially and at vdifferent radial angles thereon and a plurality of adjustable stop elements supported for relative engagement, said drum and adjustable stop elements being mounted on said loose arm and secured rocker arm respectively, means for simultaneously rotatingv said drums to effect a simultaneous adjustment ofsaid sinker and divide loop regulating devices. and pattern means ,for dictating the operation of said drum rotating means.

11. The combination with a variable stitch regulating means of a knitting machine, which includes a composite lever structure comprising a pair of lever sections, a horizontally disposedv rotatable drum, and a plurality of vhorizontally spaced stop elements carriedby said lever sections for varying the angle between said leverl sections, a plurality of stop members spaced axially on said drum and at different radial angles for successive engagement each with a cooperating stop element, certain of said stop members having peripheral contact surfaces, and atleast one of said stop members'having a peripherally disposed gradual rise cam stop surface for engagement with a cooperating stop element, means for intermittently rotating said cam drum in one direction,and pattern means for dictating the operation of said drum rotating means.

12. The combination with a variable stitch regulating means of a knitting machine which includes a composite lever structure comprising a pair of lever sections, a rotatable drum and a plurality of horizontally spaced adjustable` stop elements carried by said lever sections for varying the angle between said lever sections, a plurality of stop members having peripheral cam stop surfaces spaced axially on said drum and at different radial angles for successive engagement each with a cooperating stop element, one of said stop members having a peripherally disposed gradual rise cam' stop surface for engagement with a cooperating stop element, and means for intermittently rotating said cam drum in one direction.

13. The combination with avariable stitch regulating means of a knitting machine which invcludes acomposite lever structure comprising a pair of lever sections, a rotatable supporting member and a cam engaging stop element carried by said lever sections for varying the angle between said sections, and including a stop member movably supported on said rotatable supporting memberand having a peripherally disposed gradual rise cam stop surface for engagement with said stop element, means for adjusting said stop member to vary the angle of rise, and means for intermittently rotating saidsupporting mem'- ber in one direction for gradually varying the angle between said lever sections in the knitting of successive courses, thereby producing a cor' respondingly gradual variation in the length of stitch produced bysaid machine.

14. In a knitting machine having knitting needles and associated .loop forming sinkers and di viders operable in accordance with a loop forming cycle, variable stitch regulating devices for producing a separate adjustment of said needles for each of the sinking and divide operations in said cycle,each of said devices including a composite lever structure comprising a pair of lever sections, a rotatable supporting member and a cam engaging stop element carried by said lever sections for varying the angle between said sections, and including a stop member on said supl porting member having a peripherally disposed gradual rise cam stop surface for engagement with saidstop eement, and means for simultaneously turning each of said supporting members intermittently in one direction for effecting successive adjustments of the angle between each pair of lever sections in the knitting of successive courses thereby producing corresponding gradual variations of the needle positions for each of said sinking and divide operation.

15. In a knitting machine having knitting needles and associated loop forming sinkers and dividers operable in accordance with a loop forming cycle, variable stitch regulating devices for producing successively a separate adjustment of said needles for each of the sinking and .divide operations, each of said devices including a composite levergstructure comprising a pairof lever sections, a rotatable drum and a plurality of horizontally spaced stop elements carried by said lever sections for varying the angle between said sections, a plurality of stop members spaced axially on said drum and at different radial angles for successive engagement each with a cooperating'stop element, certain of said stop. members having contacting surfaces of constant radius, and at least one of said stop membersassociated with each drum having a peripherally disposed gradual rise portion, and means for simultaneously turning each of said drums intermittently in one direction, and pattern means for dictating the operation of said drum turning means.

16. The combination with variable stitch regulating means of a knitting machine which includes a composite lever structure comprising a pair of lever sections, a drum rotatably supported on one of said lever sections, a plurality of-ad justable stop elements cooperating with said drum carried by the other of said sections for varying the angle therebetween, a plurality of xedstop surfaces spaced axially along the drum and at different radial angles there'on for successive engagement each with a respective stop element, and an adjustable stop member on the drum vhaving a gradually rising contour surface extending about the periphery of said drum for engagement with one of said stop elements, and means for adjusting said stop member to adjust the angle of rise of said contour surface.

17. The combination with variable stitch regulating means of a knitting machine which includes a composite lever structure comprising a pair of lever sections, a drum.v rotatably supported on one of said lever sections, a plurality of adjustable stop elements cooperating with said drum carried by the other of said lever sections for varying the angle therebetween, a plurality of stop members spaced axially on the drum and at different radial angles thereon, for successive engagement each with a respective stop element, and including, an adjustable stop member on the drum having a gradually rising. contour surface extending about the periphery of said drum for engagement with one of said stop elements, means for adjusting said adjustable stop member to'adjust the angle of rise of said contour surface, racking means for imparting a step-bystep rotating movement to the drum, and pattern control means for dictating the operation of said racking means to turnthe drum. n

18. In a knitting machine having a cam shaft,

knitting needles and associated loop formingjustments of the needles for each of the sinking and dividing operations in said loop forming' cycle comprising a pair of yarn sinking and divide loop regulating cams on said cam shaft, a loop regulating shaft, and' adjustable loop regulating devices associated with eachof said loop regulating cams and the loop regulating shaft, means actuated from said cam shaft for effecting an adjustment of each of said loop regulating devices, a pattern shaft, and means controlledfrom the patern shaft for simultaneously throwng said adjusting means into and out of 'operalon.

19. For use in a flat knitting machine having a cam shaft and knitting devices including knitting needles and yarn measuring sinkers c'ooperating therewith, a stitch regulating mechanism which comprises a loop regulator shaft, a

composite loop'regulator lever structure including a cam lever section loosely mounted to turn on the regulator shaft, a lever section secured to turn with the regulator shaft, a horizontally disposed drum rotatably mounted on said cam lever section above the regulator shaft, a plurality of horizontally spaced adjustable stop elements on the fixed lever section, a plurality of peripheral stop surfaces spaced lengthwise of the drum and in different angular positions thereon for successive engagementeach with a cooperating stop, means for rotating the drum, and means effective during said rotating movement for relatively separating said cam lever sections to disengage said stop elements from -the stop sirfaces.

'20. AFor use in a flat knitting machine having a cam shaft and knitting devices including knitting needles and yarn measuring sinkers cooperating therewith, a stitch regulating mechanism which comprises a Aloop regulator shaft, a`

composite loop regulator lever structure including a cam lever section loosely mounted to turn on the regulator shaft, a lever section secured to turn with the regulator shaft, a horizontally disposed drum rotatably mounted on said cam lever section above the regulator shaft,` aplurality of horizontally spaced adjustable stop elements on the fixed lever section, a plurality of peripheral stop surfaces spaced lengthwise ofv the drum and in different angular positions thereon for successive engagement each with a cooperating stop element, racking means for rotating the drum, a cam on the cam shaft for actuating said racking means, and means effective during saidracking movement for relatively separatingsaid cam lever sections to disengage lsaid stop elements from. the stop surfaces.

ity of horizontally'spaced adjustable stop elements on the fixed lever section, a plurality of peripheral stop surfaces spaced lengthwise of the drum and in different angular positionsthereon for successive engagement each with a cooperating stop element, racking means for rotating the drum, 'a cam yon the cam shaft for actuating said racking means, and means effective during said racking movement for relatively separating said cam lever sections to disengagey said stop elements from the stop surfaces, and pattern means for render-ing said racking means operative and inoperative to rack the drum.

22. For use in a lfiat knitting machine having a cam shaft and knitting devices including knitting needles and yarn measuring sinkers cooperating therewith, a stitch regulating mecha'- nism which comprises a loop regulator shaft, a composite loop regulatorflever structure including a cam lever section loosely mounted to turn on the regulator shaft. a lever section secured to turn with the regulator shaft. a horizontally disposed drum rotatably mounted on said cam lever section above the regulator shaft, a plurality of horizontally spaced adjustable stop elements on the fixed lever section, a plurality of peripheral in different angular positions thereon for successive engagement each with a cooperating stop element, racking means for rotating the drum,

and'means effective during said rackingv movement for relatively separating said cam lever sections to disengage` said stop elements from the 4stop surfaces, a cam on the cam shaft for actuating said racking means, a pattern shaft, connections controlled thereby for rendering said racking means operative and inoperative to rack the drum, means for rotating the pattern shaft, and a pattern chain and connections therefrom for dictatin'g the movement of the pattern shaft.

23. Forv use in a flat knitting machine having a cam shaft and knitting devices including knitting needles and yarn measuring sinkers' cooperating therewith, a look regulating mechanism which comprises av loop regulator shaft, a composite loop regulator'lever structure including a cam lever section loosely mounted to turn on thelregulator shaft, a lever section secured to t'urn with the regulator shaft, automatically.

operable means for effecting successive adjustments of the loop regulating mechanism comprising successively contacting pairs of regulating stop surfaces on said lever sections, and means forpositioning successive pairs of stop surfaces in contacting position, a regulator cam on the cam shaft having a portion thereof cut away to permit rearward movement of the cam lever section fromcontacting position, means for tensioning the secured lever section rearwardly, stop means to limit rearward movement of the secured lever section to provide a separation between said lever sections, and means acting in timed relation to rotation of the cam shaft to effect the adjustment -of said automatic adjusting means While said lever sections are in separated positions. r

24. For use in a `fiat knittingmachine having acam shaft and knitting devices including knitting needles and yarn measuring sinkers cooperating therewith, a stitch regulating mechanism which comprises a loop regulator shaft, a composite loop regulator lever structure including a cam lever section loosely mounted to turn on Ythe regulator shaft, a lever section secured to turn with the regulator shaft, a horizontally disposed drum rotatably mounted on said cam lever section above the regulator shaft, a plurality of horizontally spaced adjustable stop elements on the fixed lever section, a pluralityof peripheral stop surfaces spaced lengthwise of the drumandI in different angular positions thereon for successive engagement each with a cooperating stop element, a regulator cam onv the camshaft having a portion thereof cut away to permit a separating movement of the cam lever section from' the secured lever section, racking means for the drum, and means actuated from the cam shaft for actuating said racking means while the lever sections are in said separated position.

25. For use in a fiat knittingmachine Vhaving a cam shaft. and knitting devices including knitting needles and yarn measuring sinkers cooperating therewith, a loop regulating mechanism which comprises a loop regulator shaft, a composite loop regulator lever structure including a cam lever section loosely mounted to turn on the regulator shaft, a lever section secured to turn with the regulator'shaft, a horizontally disposed drum rotatably mounted on said cam lever section above the regulator shaft,

a plurality of horizontally spaced adjustable stop elements on the xed lever section, a plurality of peripheral stop surfaces spaced lengthwise of the drum and in different' angular positions thereon for successive engagement each with a cooperating stop element, racking means for imparting step-by-step rotating movements to the drum, means effective during said racking move- .ment for relatively separating said cam lever sections to disengage said stop elements from the stop surfaces, locking means for supporting the drum in each of said step positions, and pattern means for dictating the operation of said racking means.

26. For use in a ilat knitting machine having a cam shaft and knitting devices including Aknitting needles and yarn measuring sinkers cooperating therewith, a stitch regulating mechanism which comprises a loop regulator shaft, a composite loop regulator lever structure including a cam lever section loosely mounted to turn on the regulator shaft, a lever section secured to turn with the regulator shaft, a horizontally disposed drum rotatably mounted on said cam lever section above the regulator shaft, a plurality of horizontally spaced adjustable stop elements on the secured lever section, a plurality of peripheral stop surfaces spaced lengthwise of the drum and in different angular positions thereon for successive engagement each with .a cooperating stop element, a regulator cam on the cam shaft having a cut away portion to permit rearward movement of the cam lever section out of operative position with relation to the secured lever section, racking means for the drum, a

cam on the cam shaft for actuating said racking means with the cam lever section in its separated position, a pattern shaft, means actuated from the pattern shaft to render said racking means operative and inoperative to rack th'e drum, and means including a double stepped cam on the cam shaft for imparting successive increments of rotation to the pattern shaft to render said racking means operative and inoperative only while the cam actuated lever section is in its separated position.

27. In a knitting machine having a cam shaft,v

knitting needles and associated loop forming sinkers and dividers operable in accordance with a loop formingcycle, and loop stitch regulating mechanism for effecting successive separate adjustments of the needles for each of the sinking and' divide operations in said cycle, comprising a pair of yarn sinking and dividing loop regulating cams on said cam shaft, a loop regulating shaft, a composite loop regulating lever structure associated with each cam, each comprising a cam lever section loosely mounted to turn on the regulatingshaft, a lever section secured to turn with the regulating shaft, a horizontally disposed drum rotatably mounted on said cam lever section, and a plurality of `horizontally spaced adjustable stop elements on the fixed lever section, the stop elements associated with the divide regulating lever having means to facilitate a manual adjustment thereof which is proportionate to a similar manual adjustment of corresponding stopv elements associated with the sinking regulating lever.

28. In a knitting machine having a cam shaft,

knitting needles and associated loop forming sinkers and dividers operable in accordance with a loop forming cycle, and loop stitch regulating mechanism for effecting separate adjustments of the needles for each of the sinking and divide operations in said loop forming cycle, comprising a pair of yarn sinking and dividing loop regulating cams on said cam shaft, a loop regulating shaft, a composite loop regulating lever structure associated with each cam, each comprising a cam lever section loosely mounted to turn on the regulating shaft, alever section secured to tum with the regulating shaft, and cooperating stop surfaces and screw-threaded stop elements supported by said lever sections in which the screw threads of the stop elements associated with the divide regulating lever have a pitch equal to one-half of the pitch of the stop elements associated with the sinking regulating lever.

29. In a knitting machine having a cam shaft, knitting needles and associated loop forming sinkers and dividers operable in accordance with a loop forming cycle, and loop regulating mechanism for effecting successive separate adjustments of the needles for each of the sinking and divide operations in said loop forming cycle comprising a pair of yarn sinking and loop divide cams on said cam shaft, a loop regulating shaft, separate composite yarn sinking and divide loop regulating lever structures, each including a cam lever section loosely mounted to turn on the regulator shaft, a lever section secured to turn with the regulator shaft, and cooperating stop members and stop elements on said lever sections for determining the relative angular positions of the lever sections of each of said loop regulating lever structures, the divide loop regulating cam having the contour thereof shaped to position the associated cam lever section in inoperative position during the yarn sinking operation, and the yarn sinking loop regulating cam having the engaging surface thereof shaped to positionthe associated cam lever section in inoperative position during the divide operation.

30. In a knitting machine having a cam shaft, knitting needles and associated loop forming sinkers and dividers operable in accordance with a loop forming cycle, and loop regulating mechanism for effecting successive separate 'adjustments of the needles for each of the yarn sinking and divide operations in said loop forming cycle which comprises a pair of yarn sinking and divide loop regulating cams on said cam shaft, a loop regulating shaft, composite yarn sinking and divide loop regulator lever structures each including a cam lever section loosely mounted to turn on the regulator shaft, a lever' horizontally spacedadjustable stop elements on. -each of the secured lever sections, a plurality of stop surfaces spaced lengthwise on each of the drums and in different angular positions thereon for engagement, each with a cooperating stop, means controlled from the cam shaft for simultaneously rotating said drums to effect an adjustment of said loop regulating mechanism, said divide regulating cam having the engaging surface thereof shaped to position the-associated cam lever section in inoperative position during yarn sinking and during the rotation of the drum, and said yarn sinking regulating cam having the engaging surface thereof shaped to position the associated cam lever section in inoperative position during the divide operation and during'the rotation of the drum.

31. In a knitting machine having loop forming each of the yarn sinking and dividing operations, each ofvsaid devices having a plurality of predetermined adjustments, actuating means for rendering said adjustments successively operative to determine the position of the loop forming elements during each of said sinking and dividing operations, and pattern means for dictating the operation of said actuating means.

. MAX C. MILLER. 

